The Consolation Loss

In the NHL these days, when is a loss not a loss? Well, if you lose in overtime or in a shootout, then it's technically a loss (as in, not a win) but you get a point for your efforts so it's not a total loss (so to speak). And if you get into overtime by scoring a tying goal late in the third, that's certainly better than being the team that blows the lead. And if the team you lose to after regulation is 1st in your conference, that takes a little of the sting away, too.

All of those mitigating circumstances apply to the Rangers' overtime loss to Buffalo tonight. They trailed 2-0 at one point, and trailed 2-1 with 5:00 left in the game, before tying it up. This is the third time they've lost to Buffalo this season (one of the other two losses also came in O/T), but the good news is that means they'll only play one more time (which is actually at the end of this week, I think). Getting two points out of three meetings against the top team isn't horrible, all things considered. Tonight's loss did end a (three game) winning streak, but my hat goes off to them for picking up seven points over those four games, especially considering the games were against the last two Stanley Cup champions (Tampa Bay and Carolina), the very hot Pens, and now the East-leading Sabres. And they won last night by coming back to tie the game late against Pittburgh, and then winning with only a few seconds left in overtime. They also outscored their opponents 12-to-5 over those last four games, which is a positive sign. I just hope it's not a fluke, as they've been anything but consistent so far this year.